Top Things to do in La Rioja
The 10 Best Things to do in La Rioja, Spain
Don't let its size fool you; Spain's smallest province makes a big name for itself with enticing wines and spectacular scenery. From its healing thermal baths to its rugged mountain trails, La Rioja provides the perfect getaway to any traveler. Action junkies can find adventures skiing, biking or white-water rafting, while the more sedate will find a peaceful respite sipping wine in the region's lush vineyards, or walking the famous pilgrims' trail to Santiago.
Restaurants in La Rioja
1. Bodega La Rioja Alta S.A.
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 562 reviews
In 1890, La Rioja Alta SA was founded by five families sharing a common passion for wine. It was the start of an ongoing quest for excellence that their descendants still pursue. Since then we have managed to extract the best from the marriage of our tradition in wine ageing, to state-of-the-art technology in grape fermentation. Our wines (Viña Ardanza, Gran Reserva 904, etc.) have become an international reference for the finest Rioja wines.
Reviewed By 509dalel - Glendale, United States
Toured this fantastic winery guided by Bella was very informative and had a wonderful wine tasting at the end of the tour. Very educational and I would recommend this to everyone. They make their own barrels from American oak.
2. Marques de Murrieta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 303 reviews
Marques de Murrieta is an older than 165 years-old winery where the deep respect for the history and the tradition finds a perfect balance with the focus on the future. Its origin dates from 1852 when Luciano Murrieta y Garcia -Lemoine produces the first fine wine from Rioja and is the first one to export it. He acquires the Ygay Estate and builds his emblematic Ygay Castle. In 1983 Vicente Cebrian Sagarriga, tenth Count of Creixell, takes over the project and after his death in 1996, his children, who are currently responsible of such an ambitious and endearing family business that they strengthen day after day with its presence in the different continents. The uniqueness and quality of the Marques de Murrieta wines is determined, to a great extent, by the singular caracter of the Ygay Estate, 300 hectares of own vineyards located around the winery, which allow the absolute control of the raw material. L
Reviewed By Spanishkathryn - London, United Kingdom
Extremely enjoyable from beginning to end. Very helpful staff, we booked at short notice and they made the process very easy online by answering any queries and responding quickly. Amazing building to visit, a historical winery. Excellent wines tasted, paired with some very good food (we had aperitivos only, not a meal). Small group, and the guide (Natalia) was so knowledgeable and passionate it was made even more enjoyable. Short distance from Logroño and absolutely worthwhile if you are visiting the area, you will learn about La Rioja wines, history and it is an overall great experience. We did it in Spanish but they offer other languages, I recommend you book in advance if you want to secure a visit in another language.
3. Bodegas Campo Viejo
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 169 reviews
If you want to discover the true taste of Rioja, there is no better place than Campo Viejo winery. You will see how wines are made, discover our environmentally friendly practices and enjoy a wine tasting session of our favourite vintages. During the visit, you will learn about the history of Campo Viejo, our innovative winery with one of the most impressive barrel ageing rooms in the world, our commitment to environment and much more.
Reviewed By Sergio2252 - Los Angeles, United States
We worked with the representatives from Pernod, like Raul Cotelo to make arrangements for a tour and tasting. At 12 euros, it was the best buy on day 1 of our 7 day adventure into 25 wineries in La Rioja. We were greeted by a most informed employee who hosted the tour and tasting. He took us through a discussion of the vineyards which really enlightened us. Part of the tour was a walk through the fermentation and storage tanks. It is an immense structure, all working by gravity feed and no pumping anywhere. See photos which represent only a fraction of the stainless steel tank capacity. We were staggered by the fact that they are able to keep individual lots/vineyards separated from dozens of growers during the fermentation and oak barrel ageing processes. That approach takes a huge commitment to storage. They do it to preserve the best product for later bottling and blending. Very impressive. Since La Rioja DOC requires varying lengths of bottle aging of Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva, much of the inventory is tied up in bottles awaiting labeling. Lots of warehouse space is allocated to do this bottle aging. See photos and realize that again, it represents only a portion of the floor space for their production. This was our first tasting of La Rioja wines in a Bodega. What we were expecting was the mini-sipping quantities so commonly poured in CA. What we got were glasses which were 1/2 filled and revisiting offered on all wines. We loved the Spanish/Basque hospitality of La Rioja Enotourism, but noting that we were driving, we had to manage our intake. DUI blood levels are lower in Spain. At the end of the tour, we sampled 4 wines (and local food products for pairing) including a rarely made commemorative wine. It was simply divine. We would not hesitant to offer any of the Campo Viejo wines to friends and family. They were expertly made and it showed in the bottle. Campo Viejo has combined high volume with high quality wine production. We did not know it at the time, but we would only find that unique capability at one other La Rioja winery. We later found many large and small producers who did not measure up to the quality of Campo Viejo. Bravo, to the owners of Campo Viejo. We are now looking for it in the USA.
4. Iglesia de San Servando y San German
5. Cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 287 reviews
Built in the 12th and 13th centuries, this Romanesque cathedral has a unique tradition of keeping live chickens in its interior to commemorate a local legend.
6. Bodegas Muga
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 811 reviews
Bodega familiar fundada en 1932 por Isaac Muga y Aurora Caño. Tradición y vanguardia se unen para que vivas tu #ExperienciaMuga Barrio de la Estación de Haro, La Rioja.
Reviewed By Z1997NSmariac - Fort Wayne, United States
Each wine tour seems to be a little different and this one is special because they go through the process so thoroughly and get to see a barrel being made. Really thought this tour was the best of about 60 tours I have down all over the world. Highly recommend it and we use our complimentary Muga glasses that made it overseas wrapped in paper. Do this tour.
7. Bodegas Franco Espanolas
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,224 reviews
Visit a hundred year old winery in Logrono, five minute walking from the city centre. Main wine brands: Diamante and Rioja Bordon
Reviewed By kriegler25 - Marlboro, United States
My friends and I arrived to Logrono late in the afternoon and decided to explore the city for a bit. So happy to have stumbled upon this winery. We arrived right when they were opening up and the staff in the tasting room could not have been more welcoming. Gonzaga did our wine tasting with us and did a fantastic job of talking about the wines and also tailoring choices to our groups tastes (half are red drinkers and half are white). He has been working at the winery for years harvesting grapes and had just started in the tasting room. Couldn't tell that he had just started since he was so knowledgeable and gave our group a one of a kind experience! You could see his obvious passion for his job and for the work being done at the winery. Definitely add this to your list of activities to do within the city. Especially great for picking up some wines to enjoy back at our hotel in the evenings during our visit.
8. Bodegas Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 576 reviews
Reviewed By nerearl - Dublin, Ireland
Over the years I've visited several bodegas but it is really clear that Heredia has been by far the BEST one! The building beautifully combines the old and the traditions with an unbelievable wine bar and shop designed by zaha Hadid! This is where we met Teresa, our tour guide. She was really welcoming, knowledgeable and nice! She was really good at explaining the wine making process and the history of the cellar so I feel that I've learnt a lot. Her English was perfect and we really enjoyed spending a couple of hours with her. At the end of the visit she gave us some of the delicious wines with some ibérico ham. The USP of this place is tradition, tradition and more tradition. So if you are looking for a proper traditional Rioja bodega this is without doubt the place to go. A 10 out of 10.
9. Calle del Laurel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,562 reviews
Reviewed By LizC96 - Mangawhai, New Zealand
Went on a Pintxos tour. Wonderful food and very good wines. The tiny bars are standing only except for a few stools. Very crowded but this adds to the experience. You have a beer or glass of wine, 1 or 2 pintxos (tapas) and then onto the next bar which will serve a very different sort of pintxos. They all speciallize. Great experience and lots of fun.
10. Calle San Juan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 314 reviews
Reviewed By Noraatc - Sudbury, United States
Narrow street near Paseo de Espolón is full of cafes where you can sample pintxos and have a glass of good Rioja tinto. Calle San Juan was very bright and festive during the Fiesta de San Matteo - we were lucky to be in Logroño on that day.
